The original Mini is one of the world’s most popular cars ever made. The Mini was created in response to the Suez canal fuel crisis in Egypt which caused petrol in the UK to be rationed. This made the sales of larger cars collapse, and sales of smaller cars increased hugely. The most popular cars were the weird German “bubble cars” that seemed to be a great solution to the fuel crisis. They were cheap, easy to repair, easy to drive, and in some ways quite practical.
Italy responded to the fuel crisis with the iconic Fiat 500. That car ended up becoming a bestseller for the marque and was later re-launched globally in 2007. France continued to develop cars such as the Citroen 2CV and Renault 4 in order to provide a viable solution to the fuel crisis,
The head of BMC at the time, Sir Leonard Lord, hated these German bubble cars and vowed to get rid of them. His plan was to launch a proper “miniature car” and that car was later known as the Mini. Lord’s top engineer, Alec Issigonis was given the challenge to design the Mini. One of the smartest decisions he made was to place the engine sideways at the front, otherwise known as a “transverse” engine. The aim was to maximize interior space without making the exterior of the car larger. This was a challenge but Issigonis and his team managed to do so.
In 1959, his plan was finished and finalized, and the Mini Mark I was born. The Mark I is the “purest” of the original Mini’s. It was launched in April 1959 and by August 1959, several thousand cars had been sold already. Mini sent around 2000 Mini’s around the world to be showcased in 100 different countries. The Mini was very different in comparison to its competitors. The engine was in the front, in oppose to the rear. It was quite square and also a lot more simple.
The original Mini quickly became an icon, especially amongst the youth in the 1960s. It was small, cheap, cool, and very fun to drive. Everything the young man or woman would want in the 1960s. However, it wasn’t just the youth that was loving the Mini. Everyone of all genders and ages loved the Mini as it was just so simple and so easy.
Fast forwards forty-one years, and the final original Mini is rolled off the production line in Longbridge England. An end of an era for a car that hardly changed at all during its life.
Should you buy an original Mini? Let’s find out.
Like a Go-Kart To Drive
There is a very famous saying about the way Mini’s drive. They drive like “go-karts” and that’s due to the fact that they are so light and have such a low center of gravity. The original Mini’s from the 1950s and 1960s included very lightweight simple engines that could be maintained on the average British driveway.
The last Mini’s used larger 1.2-liter four-cylinder engines which even at the time started to feel very old. Nevertheless, they’re very fun and quite reliable. Some original Mini owners have even gone to the extent of highly tuning their engines with turbochargers, superchargers, and more.
Furthermore, the size of the original Mini is very convenient for fast driving as it makes the car so nimble and nippy. This improved handling immensely, and this became obvious when the original Mini’s started to race in the touring car series. Later on, the original Mini received its own race series which is still active today in many parts of the world.
It Looks Awesome
The original Mini is one of the best-looking cars ever made. The design is completely timeless, and even a 60-year-old car from the late 1950s still looks somewhat modern today. The original Mini is so iconic, that eventually the shape of the car became trademarked. The Mini is a sign of British engineering. Asl anybody around the world to name a British car, and I can guarantee you they will name the Mini.
One of the best things about the design of the original Mini is the fact that you could truly have it personalized to your taste. There were convertible Mini’s, longer estate Mini’s, ones with different grilles, etc. There was even an off-road buggy version known as the Mini Moke.
Mini made many different specs of their car over the years. From the more basic Mini City to the ultra iconic John Cooper Works and Cooper models. Mini truly did produce something for everyone and that is why it sold in the millions. By doing this, it meant that the average Joe could have a Mini. Celebrities had a Mini.
The Original Mini Is A Motorsport Legend.
The original Mini partook in many different rally events and even won the Monaco Monte Carlo rally. What racing rivers loved about the Mini is how easy it was to drive fast. It was lightweight, and it was tough which meant it was an absolute gem for the rally stages.
The original Mini also partook in European Touring Car Championships where it finished 1st in the series on two occasions in 1964 and 1968. The original Mini really was a little bulldog, taking faster cars in the corners. Watching the Mini race was exciting and fun. It was just so fast and so fun. The original Mini also was featured in smaller events around the world such as the Australian endurance racing series, where it was one of the most popular cars in the series.
In modern times, the original Mini has its own race series. It’s an enthusiast’s dream the original Mini is, and it is an absolute must-have for many amateur events around the world.
To Conclude
The original Mini is one of the best cars ever made. It’s a great car to drive and that is evident by its motorsport pedigree. It’s such an iconic car that features a timeless design that everyone knows and loves. It’s a car that can be modified to your tastes topo which makes the original Mini feel so much more personal.